Author/Editor		Smrke, Dragica; Arnež, Zoran M
Title		Treatment of extensive bone and soft tissue defects of the lower limb by traction and free-flap transfer
Type		članek
Source		Injury
Vol. and No.		Letnik 31
Publication year		2000
Volume		str. 153-62
Language		eng
Abstract		Twenty patients with extensive bone and soft tissue defects and posttraumatic osteomyelitis were treated between 1983 and 1995. In all cases an external fixator was used for bone fixation. Bone defects were managed with the Ilizarov intercalary bone transport. Two types of traction were used: the Ilizarov type and a "new" Ljubljana type. The results of treatment were compared between the two types of traction. In all cases delayed bony union was observed. Osteomyelitis never reactivated. All patients were satisfied with treatment. They were all independent exept for one amputee. The Ljubljana traction method was found to have the following advantages: no discrepancy in leg length, no ortopaedic support was needed, the aesthetic outcome was better, the traction time was reduced and there was less soft tissue damage during bone traction.
Descriptors		FRACTURES, UNUNITED FRACTURE FIXATION FRACTURE HEALING TRACTION OSTEOMYELITIS ILIZAROV TECHNIQUE SURGICAL FLAPS LEG FEMORAL FRACTURES TIBIAL FRACTURES RANGE OF MOTION, ARTICULAR KNEE JOINT ANKLE JOINT TREATMENT OUTCOME